Widespread support for flood insurance bill essential

THE Flood Insurance Bill needs cross party support to be a success, according to a campaigner against flooding in Athlone.
Carrickobrien resident and horse trainer Tom Cleary - who was one of the organisers of rally protests over flooding last winter - said it is imperative that the legislation goes through.
If passed, the Fianna Fail bill would give home and land owners in areas vulnerable to flooding the opportunity to insure their properties.
“We are anxious to get it through the Dail,” said Mr Cleary, of the Shannon Systems Flood Alliance.
“In certain places you have to wait for up to eight years and then there is no guarantee you are going to get insurance,” he said.
So far he said that the legislation is supported by more than 70 TDs but more support is required to meet the quota of a half of the members of the Dail.
“We are looking for cross party agreement,” he said.
He said it is particularly important in Athlone, parts of which are at high risk of flooding.
“When the flood defences are put up they (some residents) might not even get insurance,” said Mr Cleary. “It would be a big help if it was compulsory.”
One of the TDs in the region who is a strong supporter of the proposed legislation is Fianna Fail TD in Roscommon Galway, Deputy Eugene Murphy.
Deputy Murphy recently attended the National Flood Conference in Ballinasloe and he noted that over 50,000 people were still without flood insurance cover in Ireland despite the fact that a significant amount of money has been spent on flood defences in various towns and communities.
“It is no longer acceptable that property owners, businesses and farmers continue to be left financially vulnerable because they have no access to flood insurance despite many schemes being delivered,” said Deputy Murphy.